The reasons for Rawling's murderous rage were not fully explained, but he became aggressive after Mr Bunting asked him to leave the flat of a friend, Andrew Goulding, for arguing with another man.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, jailing Rawling, said: "It may be that (Mr Bunting) was prepared to use violence that night, but that was only in response to your threats and the fact you had armed yourself as comprehensively as you did.

"I'm quite satisfied that he had no idea you had a knife and that he would not have set foot outside the door if he did."

Mr Bunting and his killer had been drinking together in the Causeway Pub until around 9pm on June 15, when he left to meet his new girlfriend Rosie Kelly.

Picture form the family of Declan Bunting, 21, who was stabbed to death by Stuart Rawling in Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington

Rawling then bombarded him with phone calls and texts, prompting Miss Kelly to tell police he appeared "obsessed" with Mr Bunting.

The victim, who had studied bricklaying at Warrington Collegiate, eventually answered and agreed to invite Rawling to Mr Goulding's flat, where he and Miss Kelly were "chilling" with a few friends.

Rawling's behaviour led to him being ejected, and he returned to his own flat where he chose the axe and one of a selection of several lock knives.

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"We are distraught and feel broken, that a piece of us is missing. We all miss him so, so much, every minute of every day."

Det Insp Adam Waller, who led the investigation for Cheshire Police, said: "A young life was taken at the hands of Rawling in an attack I can only describe as vicious and senseless. Arming himself with a weapon, he clearly intended to do serious harm that night.

"Carrying a knife can be devastating for all of those involved. A young life, as in this case, can be tragically lost and a family left without their loved one."